I like warm & fuzzy things. Clarence is one of them. Yes, he’s warm, fuzzy, friendly, happy, strong and handsome. I’ve liked him for a good while now, a year and a half, maybe a bit more. I think he’s pretty awesome, actually. I only have one small problem, I’m still looking for his perfect combo. Here’s what I’ve gone through already:

I’ve tentatively settled with Clarence Henry Rafael but am also liking Clarence Henry Reuel (The best way to honor Tolkien!), Clarence Rohan George, Clarence Edward Fionn & Clarence Dashiell Henry (or maybe Clarence Henry Dashiell?). Clarence Fintan Hugh’s pretty awesome and I really dig Clarence Arthur Finlay. Worse yet, he doesn’t have a preference, he just likes Clarence, and says he honestly doesn’t care what he’s paired with. Clarence is his #1 choice, Cosmo’s mine. We’ve come to an agreement on Cosmo (Cosmo Henry Gavriil) but nothing even close with Clarence. I really do like him but am having such trouble!

Something still feels missing, though. Clarence almost sparkles with Henry Reuel & Edward Fionn but almost isn’t good enough. Clarence Arthur Finlay is probably the sparkliest one for me. What do you think? 😀

I’ve got names I adore but find a bit hard to use in one manner or another. I try anyway. Figured I’d toss them out for the heck of it today. Here, for your perusal:

The Guys:

Clarence/Clancy– I adore him and he’s actually in the top 10 despite my problem with him. He’s strong, handsome & angelic. I love his gentle feel. My problem? His combo. I’ve tenatively got Clarence Henry Rafael, which is lovely and while I can live with it, it doesn’t make Clarence shine. I want him to sparkle. Any suggestions?

Malcolm – He’s a long time love. I mean, Leo was nearly Malcolm, long time. I love his combo too Malcolm Barnaby Edward/Malcolm Edward Barnaby (haven’t decided which way I like it best yet). My problem? I need someone to tell me Malcolm MacK isn’t as clowny sounding as I think it is. He even sounds awesome with the sibset. *sigh* Talk me into him!Bruno– He’s a family surname of sorts (my Stepmom’s maiden name) and I really like his combo: Bruno Henry Valentin. I like him lots and think he sounds pretty great with the sibset. My probelm with him? The other half’s not too sure about him and others think he’s a dog. It shouldn’t bother me (doesn’t with Cosmo), but for some reason, that does.

Blaise– I love his brainy, artistic feel and think he goes most superbly with the sibset but I don’t even have him paired, everyone instinctively spells him Blaze, Ugh.

Perry– I adore his easy, breezy style and his lighthearted feel. I first think Perry White or Perry Mason but even Perry the platypus doesn’t bother me. I don’t have him paired either, the other half think it’s going to the girls. Anyone have an argument for Perry on a boy?

The Gals:

Romilly – Yes, she’s placename-y (doesn’t bother me, I have cousins in one of the Romillys), and Romy honors a Rosemary indirectly (that works in my huge family). Milly/Millie, she’s just sweet. I love her two combos: Romilly Alice Kathleen (honors more, Kathleen’s my sister, Alice was to have been my name) & Romilly Elinor Blythe (Blythe I just like here, very much). My problem? She’s quite odd with the sibset. *sigh*

Pandora– I so would love to use this as a first name, to heck with it to meshing with the sibs. It honors, and I love both her sound and her meaning ‘all gifts’. But “the box” teasing may be too much in middle school as a first so I have her in the middle: Cecily Pandora Jane. Tell me it’s alright, please. 🙂

Araminta– Another one I’ve loved for a good while. I love her frill, her feel and her femininity. She’s lovely but not weak. And Min/Minna & Mina as possible nicknames enchant me to no end. I love her combo: Araminta Alice Green. If anyone knows their “Freedom Train” (not the 1976 one, either) history, they’ll know where Green came from here. I need Min/Mina somewhere and this works best for me. And Green is so calm and clean, too. Not like the blues or pinks.

Esmeralda– The name of my G. Grandma’s oldest sister. Utterly lovely and breaks down to the tiny & divine Esme. My problem? She’s quite a bit clashy with the surname: Esmeralda MacK? I don’t think so.

Wilhelmina – I’ve loved her for at least 5 years. And I love her potential obvious nicknames: Willa & Mina. My problem? She’s impossible to pair. Anyone have any ideas?

I like old people, always have. I had more fun hanging out with my Grandmother and her sisters, their husbands and their friends as a kid, even.

Never said I wasn’t odd! 😀

Some of them are back now: Lillian/Lilian & Caroline (never left), John and Josephine’s on her way. While the rest of them are becoming rather obscure or in danger of vanishing completely: Arthur, Roland, Warren, Harvey, Clarence, Philip/Phillip and Leslie on a boy. Frances, May, Sylvia, Florence, Margery.

Helen, Margaret & Edward are the only three falling but not in danger of vanishing just yet.

All of those names are family names for me (if you hadn’t guessed)

I’ve been thinking about them, the old folks I used to know (they’re all long gone now). I wonder of any of their names will come back? I think most of them are neat. Arthur & Roland and knightly and dashing, Philip/Phillip feels princely (maybe I’ve watched too much “Sleeping Beauty? Hmm)? 😉 Warren feels artsy and creative to me, Harvey feels almost happy, Clarence is warm and softly handsome and I so wish Leslie had stayed boy. I mean Lesley is the girly version, why did they take Leslie? Poor GrandPop!
May is sweetly charming, Frances is zippy and sweet, and Florence fits in with the place name girls. I’m surprised actually, that Sylvia hasn’t popped up yet. She’s simple yet three syllables, has a ‘v’ and a ‘y’ and seemingly fits in with the Audrey/Ava/Vivian crowd.

I’ve also been wondering how medieval Margery might come across by herself or maybe as an alternate nickname for Margaret? I’ve always been a sucker for ancient names and medieval names fit that nicely. Margery, Edith, Cecily, Beatrix, Amabel, Clarice (I’ve loved Clarice since I was a tot!), Euphemia, Florence, Helen, Lettice/Leticia, Matilda & Maud are some very favorites. I could have a dozen girls and happily name them the previous names.

What do you think of old people’s names? What are your thoughts on medieval names and their possible use today?